Introduction

Thai SmartLynx has recently become Thailand’s first-ever ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) airline after receiving its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

Key Highlights

• Partner of Avia Solutions Group, one of the largest providers in ACMI solutions.
• Positioned to meet fleet capacity needs across Thailand and beyond, marking a significant advancement in the country’s aviation sector.
• First airline to secure an AOC under the new Civil Aviation Regulations on Air Operations framework, modeled after EU Aviation Safety Agency standards.

As travelers from Europe and Asia prepare for winter escapes, this certification comes just in time for the peak travel season. Thai SmartLynx is set to launch operations with its Airbus A320 from Don Mueang International Airport (DMK).

The airline intends to grow its fleet by adding between 15 to 20 aircraft within the next three to four years to support national and regional carriers.

Quotes

Martynas Grigas stated:

“Thai SmartLynx is proud to be a pioneer in bringing flexible capacity solutions to Thailand’s aviation sector. Our ACMI model offers airlines a fully operational capacity solution for our partners.”

This model allows airlines to scale operations during periods of high demand or to trial new routes without substantial investment or long-term commitments. The ACMI (wet lease) strategy can potentially boost profitability for airlines by two to three percent with proper implementation.